Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th's Ancient Regime. By capturing this symbol, the people signaled that the king's power was no longer absolute: power should be based on the Nation and be limited by a separation of powers.

Bastille Day was declared the French national holiday on 6 July 1880, on Benjamin Raspail's recommendation, when the new Republic was firmly entrenched. Bastille Day has such a strong signification for the French because the holiday symbolizes the birth of the Republic. As in the US, where the signing of the Declaration of Independence signaled the start of the American Revolution, in France the storming of the Bastille began the Great Revolution. In both countries, the national holiday thus symbolizes the beginning of a new form of government.

Although we really appreciate all the fireworks, we are having a quieter celebration today :-)

Friday, July 9, 2010

I can't tell you how delighted I am that so many of your comments want to see more of the house and what we are doing with it. This is such an exciting project for us, and we are wanting to do a nice job within our budget. When we first looked at this house, the first thing that I noticed was the lack of color. Every wall was painted gray.

And the white tile has just little bits of a darker color running through the tiles. So my main thought from the beginning was to somehow warm this house up!

So we started looking at paint. But MY oh MY how many shades of paint are available. I was so amazed! We bought little sample cans of paint and painted little areas on the walls. Before long, I was more confused then ever. When we finally decided on a color (Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige), we found out from the painter that the color we "thought" was Shaker Beige was not actually right! He bought a gallon of the right color and put it on the wall next to our sample. Whoa! Someone at the paint store either mixed it wrong or left one color out of the formula. But in the end we liked the "real" Shaker, and went with it.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

I feel a little bit bad that I don't have any quilting posts to share. With all that is going on with the new house, there is no time for crafting, sewing, or any kind of quilting. My mind has been filled with the thousands of shades of beige for the walls, and the hundreds of carpet samples. Of course you know I am exaggerating, just a little, but it has been amazing to look at paint chips in every shade combination there could possibly be.

We are in a whirlwind right now, and as the painting is getting done, and the carpets are being picked out, this is the blank palette that we are working with.

I am hoping to show you some of the transformation as we work on it in a few weeks.

Oh and I don't think I showed you my laundry room.

We are working on warming up this house. If you have any questions or suggestions, I am here to listen and share :-)

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, commemorates the Continental Congress’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The document, primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, served as a formal announcement that the 13 American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire and would henceforth be free and independent states. Regarded as the birthday of the United States of America, the day is typically celebrated with parades, fireworks, ceremonies, barbecues and family gatherings.

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day here in America, I wanted to ask you to remember the family members of two slain police officers here in our city. Our flags are flying at half mast in memory of these two men, who were ministers of the law. For all those who have given their lives in order that we may remain free, I pay respect and homage to them and for what they stood for.

So as you celebrate the 4th, remember that there are many who have given their all, because freedom is never really free.

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